Babymouse: Beach Babe

by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm

Holm, Jennifer L., and Matthew Holm. 2006. Beach babe. London: HarperCollins Children's. ISBN 0-375-83231-9.

SUMMARY
After getting through the last day of school, Babymouse learns during supper that the family is summer vacationing for a week at the beach. Bursting with enough energy to fill ten football fields; Babymouse enjoys a week full of sunbathing, snorkeling, sand, and surfing. Of all the lessons she learns however; none are as important as the lesson on family values. Squeak, Babymouse’s little brother, wants nothing more than to enjoy his summer week playing with Babymouse. After several unsuccessful attempts, he runs away, believing no one likes him. A wave of guilt overcomes Babymouse as she realizes the attempts her brother made to do nothing more than just play and spend time with her. Realizing how much she truly loves her little brother, Babymouse sets out to find him. When she does; their summer beach vacation ends with a bang!

The characters in this low fantasy series are personified mice. The main character, Babymouse, is full of life, imagination, and a zeal for adventure. She shows no fear and tackles life head on. She often times escapes into her daydreams where of course, she is the heroine. Her mannerisms and behavior are typical of many kids, who have active imaginations. The same can be said for her younger brother, Squeak, who is portrayed as the all annoying younger brother, who constantly wants to “tag along”. These traits, which are observable in young children, make it possible to identify with the characters. Babymouse’s maturity level develops before our eyes when she realizes the importance of family and how much she loves her little brother.

Just as the main character; the plot is full of adventure and action. The illustrations add to the creativity of the story and helps bring the setting alive. The story’s overall theme reminds us of how vivid a child’s imagination can blossom. It allows us to see how self-centered we can sometimes be and also points out the importance of family.
The authors’ style draws the reader into their world of imagination. They appropriately incorporate the use of action words that not only moves the story along but also work cohesively with the illustrations to create a distinctive framework for the story. Examples of such action words are “Tweeeeet!!!”, “Crash”, “Hurrah!!”, and “Vroom!”.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
N/A

EDITORIAL REVIEWS
Babymouse's family spends summer vacation at the beach. During boring or difficult times, the young mouse uses her imagination to take her to far more interesting and exciting places. Her younger brother wants to play with her, but, like most big sisters, Babymouse wants nothing to do with him. When he runs away, she realizes how important he is to her, and how much fun they can have. The story moves quickly, and readers are sure to notice that whenever Babymouse has trouble with a character, it is illustrated as a cat. The black-and-white cartoons are highlighted with splashes of pink that become darker when the action intensifies. This book will be popular with young graphic novel fans as well as devotees of the genre in general, especially reluctant readers. --School Library Journal

If Ian Falconer's pig Olivia grew a few years and turned into a mouse, she would be Babymouse. In this third hyperkinetic, pink-washed adventure, as frolicsome and breathlessly paced as the previous two, the squiggly whiskered heroine heads for a family summer on the beach. Packed with the energy of 100 kids, she launches a catastrophic surfing career and tries to keep little brother Squeak out of her fur. Adventurous and refusing to stick to gender-stereotyped pursuits, Babymouse is on the lookout for a partner to share her flights of fancy. A slight penchant for selfishness notwithstanding, before the summer is through, she realizes that the perfect playmate has been sitting right under her pink nose all along. Both story and art take full advantage of the lively possibilities of Babymouse turned loose from school (where teachers educate via the "blah blah blah" method) to explore the larger world with an imagination run wild. --Booklist

CONNECTIONS-Reading
1. Holm, Jennifer L., and Matthew Holm. 2009. Babymouse. 12, Burns rubber. New York: Random House.
2. Holm, Jennifer L., and Matthew Holm. 2008. Babymouse. 10, The musical. New York: Random House.
3. Holm, Jennifer L., and Matthew Holm. 2011. Babymouse, 15. New York: Random House Childrens Books.

Speak

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. Speak. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 0-374-37152-0.

SUMMARY
It is the summer before her freshman year and Melinda is invited to an “end of the summer” party. Unaware that attending this party will dramatically change her life, Melinda attends the party with her friend, Rachel. At the party, Melinda meets a senior, Andy Evans, who takes her to a secluded area and rapes her. Melinda calls 911. The police show up not only breaking up the party but also arresting several for underage drinking. Unsure and scared, Melinda leaves the party, walking home alone. Melinda tells no one of the incident, not even her parents. With no one to talk to and friends, who are all blaming her for calling the police; Melinda faces a difficult freshman year.

The story unmistakably depicts a tragic life event with supporting events that are all probable and true to life. The characters, especially the protagonist, whose struggle throughout the story is evident, are genuine characters living and breathing within our schools today. The award winning qualities of the story are magnificently displayed through the author’s style. The author meticulously exposes the strengths and weaknesses of each character, allowing the reader to also feel the depression and loneliness that Melinda feels, the selfishness of her once friend, Rachel (aka Rachelle), the arrogance of Andy Evans, and the enthusiasm of the Mr. Freeman, the art teacher.

The author’s style brings authenticity to the story through the creation of the character’s dialogue and the language of the story, both of which accurately and appropriately reflect the way children at that age think and talk even today. The book’s setting focuses primarily on school, allowing the author to tie into the plot issues pertaining to acceptance by peers, bullying, young adult relationships, young adult relationships with parents, gender, culture, and how a parent being unemployed can affect a family. The author also incorporates the home environment setting, displaying how Melinda interacts with her parents and furthermore, how her parents interact with each other. By merging both settings, the author allows the reader a much deeper understanding of how the actions and characters are affected.

The story’s theme; as controversial as many parents may argue it to be, definitely has a personal resonance for the child reader. The theme and issues, which emerge are all meaningful and significant to a child reader. As serious as the act of rape is, the author’s styles allows the theme to naturally flow into the story from the perspective of the protagonist. The author creates the tone and mood of the book as one of seriousness by inviting the reader into Melinda’s thoughts and her emotions.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Top-10 Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults
Edgar Allan Poe Award finalist
IRA Young Adult Choice
Junior Library Guild Selection
Michael L. Printz Honor Book (American Library Association)
National Book Award Finalist
New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
New York Times Bestseller List
SCBWI Golden Kite Award
YALSA Popular Paperback for Young Adults
Booklist Editors’ Choice
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book
Fanfare, The Horn Book’s Honor List
Los Angeles Times Award finalist
Publishers Weekly Bestseller
Booklist Top 10 First Novels (1999)
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year (1999)

EDITORIAL REVIEWS
“The book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired.’” --Publishers Weekly

“Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.” --Starred Review, Booklist

“An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last.” --Starred Review, The Horn Book

CONNECTIONS-Activities
1. Write an essay on a time in your life when you stood up for what was right.
2. Research sexual harassment and write an essay.
3. Draw a picture of how you feel after you have finished reading Speak.

by Rebecca Stead

Stead, Rebecca. 2009. When you reach me. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN 0-385-73742-4.

SUMMARY
The year is 1979, Miranda, who is a 6th grader, lives with her mother in an apartment in Upper West Side New York City. Although there is a homeless man living on the corner of Miranda’s street, who rants the words “book bag pocket shoe” and her mother has been chosen to appear on the game show, $20,000 Pyramid, life for Miranda is quite normal. That is however, until her best friend Sal is punched in the stomach and Miranda begins receiving odd notes. As if things could not get any weirder, Miranda not only learns the identity of the boy, who punched Sal, she also learns that he is not the bad person; she had perceived him to initially be. Throughout the story, Miranda learns the meaning of friendship and becomes a witness to the one of life’s many mysteries.

The author’s skills and ingenuity are definitely reflected throughout this literary award winner. Incorporating features from various genres, When You Reach Me, is not only your science fiction/mystery story; it is also a work of historical fiction. The child’s place in New York City during 1979 is clearly depicted by the exposure of how children during this time were more independent. There are multiple age appropriate and significant themes, which are subtly incorporated into the story to include independence and friendship. All the characters, especially Miranda’s, are characters we can all identify with in one form or another. Miranda’s thoughts and perspective demonstrate her strengths and weaknesses, which in turn, engages and moves the reader through the story’s events.

The author magnificently creates a story, which can stand the test of time. The dialogue is not specific to the slang or colloquialisms of the time however; it is as realistic as it is age-appropriate. Although the story’s plot does contain references specific to the time and place identified and also contains the element of imagination; it still holds true to the genre of contemporary realism. The author’s style creates the tone and mood of the book through the story’s events such as the mysterious appearances of the notes, the disappearance of Jimmy’s $2 bills, and the rose left on Annemarie’s doormat. The best part of the plot is that although I would surely agree that it is unmistakably imaginative, including many unexpected twists and turns, the author superbly prepares the reader for the cause and effect of the story’s events. The reader is not left at the conclusion of the story unsure as to what just happened but rather, exhaling with a satisfied feeling of delight.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Winner of the 2010 Newbery Medal
Winner of the 2010 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction & Poetry
2009 Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner

EDITORIAL REVIEWS
"[W]hen all the sidewalk characters from Miranda's Manhattan world converge amid mind-blowing revelations and cunning details, teen readers will circle back to the beginning and say,'Wow ... cool.'" --Starred Review, Kirkus

"[T]he mental gymnastics required of readers are invigorating; and the characters, children, and adults are honest bits of humanity no matter in what place or time their souls rest." --Starred Review, Booklist

"Closing revelations are startling and satisfying but quietly made, their reverberations giving plenty of impetus for the reader to go back to the beginning and catch what was missed." --Starred Review, The Horn Book Magazine

"This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers." --Starred Review, School Library Journal

CONNECTIONS-Activities

1. Have a discussion focused on friendship:
a. Why does Sal stop talking to Miranda?
b. Why does Miranda stop disliking Julia?
c. Why does Miranda become Alice’s bathroom partner?
2. Have a discussion focused on stealing:
a. Collin takes bread from Jimmy’s restaurant.
b. The laughing man steals Jimmy’s bank full of $2 bills.
c. Miranda’s mom takes office supplies from work.

CONNECTIONS-Reading
1. L'Engle, Madeleine. 1962. A wrinkle in time. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

The Wednesday Wars

By Gary D. Schmidt

Schmidt, Gary D. 2007. The Wednesday wars. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0-618-72483-4.

SUMMARY
The story is of Holling Hoodhood, a student in Ms. Baker’s seventh grade class at Camillo Junior High. Holling is convinced that Ms. Baker hates him. On Wednesdays while half of the class leaves for catechism class and the other half for Hebrew School, he is left alone to spend the afternoon with his teacher, Ms. Baker. The afternoons are filled with cleaning erasers, extra worksheets, cleaning the cage of the classroom’s pet rats, and washing the class chalkboard, however; when an unfortunate incident occur involving chalk dust and mouth-watering cream puffs, Holling is faced with reading Shakespeare instead of chasing the class pet rats, which accidentally got away from Holling as he was cleaning their cage. The author has created a compelling work of historical fiction; incorporating just the right amount of growing up in the 60’s, politics, and the Vietnam War with Shakespeare, yellow tights, and sentence diagramming.

Every reader, both young and old, will be able to identify with each character in this story. The author does a marvelous job of bringing out each character’s personality and the patterns of their daily life appropriate for that time. Although the time is 1967, the behavior and mannerisms they all display are familiar and real within our own homes and schools. The story’s protagonist, Holling Hoodhood is your typical seventh grade boy, who loves baseball, doesn’t get along with his older sister, and would not be caught dead in “girl” tights.

The social fabric of the time is clearly made obvious throughout the book through the incorporation of not only a focus on life at school yet furthermore, also a focus on life at home. The book contains many references to the Vietnam War and the political views of that time yet as serious as these subjects are, the author does an amazing job of keeping the narration true to a youthful point of view. For instance, I especially could not stop from giggling as I am reading Ms. Baker’s and the student’s reactions to the atomic bomb drills they are required to perform at school. The plot is most definitely not overwhelmed by historical details. The historical references, which are presented, are naturally integrated into the story.

The story’s setting is the year 1967; news of the Vietnam War can be heard from television sets all across America as Walter Cronkite reports for CBS. Songs from the Monkees can be heard playing from the bedroom of Holling’s sister. This is the same sister, who comes to dinner with a flower painted her cheek and calls herself a “flower child” because she wants to “believe in a bigger cause”. The author creates a historical setting of the time by including the attitudes, values, and morals of the time from various perspectives; those against the war, those for the war, those who have lost a loved one in war, and those who live in hope. In between the seriousness, the author also ties into the story the attitudes, values, and morals on baseball, friendship, family, school testing, Shakespeare, and the value of money.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Newbery Honor Award, 2008
Cybils Finalist (Young Adult Fiction, 2007)
ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2008
Judy Lopez Memorial Award, 2008
ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2008
IBBY Honour Book, 2010

EDITORIAL REVIEWS
"Schmidt...makes the implausible believable and the everyday momentous...a gentle, hopeful, moving story." --Booklist

"Schmidt rises above the novel's conventions to create memorable and believable characters." --Horn Book

"[An] entertaining and nuanced novel.... There are laugh-out-loud moments that leaven the many poignant ones." --School Library Journal

CONNECTIONS-Activities:
1) Have a discussion with students regarding which school year has been their most memorable thus far and why?

CONNECTIONS-Reading:1) Murray, Stuart. 2005. Vietnam War. New York: DK Pub.
2) Kadohata, Cynthia. 2007. Cracker!: the best dog in Vietnam. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

The Midwife's Apprentice

By Karen Cushman

Cushman, Karen. 1995. The midwife's apprentice. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0-395-69229-6.

SUMMARY

The story is of a young girl, who is as unsure of her name and age as she is of where she is going to lay her head down to sleep every night. She has neither home nor family and has only known of herself by the name Brat. Despite the many life obstacles she faces, she tackles life day by day and with each passing day she learns through her experiences and encounters more and more about herself; she learns self-value, her inner strength, her ability to learn, and most importantly her ability to love and be loved. With this self revelation, she becomes skillful in the profession of midwifery, a profession during 14th century medieval England, which included a “combination of common sense, herbal knowledge, and superstition.”

The characters within this story are all individuals we can easily identify within on our lives. Although I would like to hope that many of our children will never have the opportunity to experience being homeless and without a family; the truth of the matter is that it is an unfortunate circumstance, which still occurs today. The author does a magnificent job in creating characters with real personalities. It is each character’s behavioral qualities in conjunction with the attitudes, values, and morals of that time in history, which brings genuineness and authenticity into each character and the story as a whole. Every character in the story, including the cat, appears realistic and credible.

The author expertly weaves the very spirit of each character throughout the story’s theme and setting. The attitudes, values, and morals for that time in history are evident throughout the story. The fact that they continue to hold relevancy today brings an authenticity to the story. For instance, the attitude and the value of determination; we are all taught that when one fails, you don’t give up but rather, get back up and try again. We are also taught that we must take life by the reins and not sit on the sidelines; we take every opportunity, every experience and squeeze the knowledge from it to become a better person. In the story, Brat begins to change her life and take “the reins” through her experiences and the self-knowledge she obtains from each her encounters.

The setting of the story is descriptively created through the lively narratives of the small English village, the cottages, the merchant, the inn, and the manor. We are taken alongside each character as if we are seeing, hearing, touching, and smelling the area through their senses at that particular moment in time. The solid floor of the cottage is beneath my feet as Brat, renamed Beetle by the mid-wife, sweeps the cottage’s dirt floor, sprinkling it with water and stamping it to keep it hard packed. I am walking beside Beetle at the merchant and seeing all the “bright booths with flags and pennants flying.” My nose just as Beetle’s nose quivers “at smells of roasting meats and fresh hot bread and pies stuffed with pork and raisins.” The author’s vivid recreation of the events appropriate to that time and place add to the authenticity of the story.

The author’s note provides insight into the history of midwifery. It reveals the historical accuracy of certain aspects within the story for instance, the choice of herbs and how they were used in practice and the superstitious rituals. It was not until I read the author’s note that I became aware of these detailed facts. The accuracy of these facts is a demonstration of the author’s ability to create a story realistic to the time period without overwhelming it with details. Until reading the author’s note, I truly believed that the midwife’s use of herbs and superstitious chants were part of her character and not factual. The author’s style captures not only her own individual voice however; it also captures the very essence of daily life within that time in history. The dialogue is suitable to the story; I love how it captures the language of that time and place.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS:
Newbery Medal, 1996
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader’s Choice, 1998
ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 1996
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book, 1996
ALA Notable Children’s Book, 1996
New York Public Library 1995 List of Recommended Books
Booklist “Books for Youth Editors’ Choice”
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, 1995
An American Bookseller Association Pick of the Lists

EDITORIAL REVIEWS:
In reviewing this 1996 Newbery winner, PW said that Cushman "has an almost unrivaled ability to build atmosphere, and her evocation of a medieval village, if not scholarly in its authenticity, is supremely colorful and pungent." --Publisher Weekly

“An insider’s look at the life of Birdy, 14, the daughter of a minor English nobleman. The year is 1290 and the vehicle for storytelling is the girl’s witty, irreverent diary. She looks with a clear and critical eye upon the world around her….A feminist far ahead of her time, she is both believable and lovable….Superb historical fiction.” --School Library Journal, starred review

“Catherine’s rebellious nature, questioning mind, and underlying kindness to all creatures make her an amusing and sympathetic figure; the vivid picture of medieval life presents a seemingly eye-witness view of a culture remote from contemporary beliefs. Fascinating and thought-provoking.” --The Horn Book Magazine, starred review

CONNECTIONS-Activities:
1) Create an artistic cover for the book illustrating an interesting scene from the story.
2) Research life during medieval England then write a short story that is set during that time.
3) Act out certain parts in the story focusing on how you believe the characters felt at that time.

Elijah of Buxton

Written by Christopher Paul Curtis

Curtis, Christopher Paul. 2007. Elijah of Buxton. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0-439-02344-0.

SUMMARY
Elijah of Buxton, Canada, was the first child born into freedom. Knowing no other life than to be free, the story takes eleven year old Elijah through his daily life on the settlement. From school, to chores, to rock fishing, Elijah’s life is filled with love, family, and neighbors; all until the day the preacher steals the very same money Elijah’s friend, Mr. Leroy, is saving to buy his family from slavery in the South. Determined to help his friend get the money back, Elijah leaves the only life he knows behind and ventures out on a perilous journey to America. What he discovers is a life told many times by his parents yet, unbelievable until he became a witness for himself. Elijah returns back to Buxton without his friend’s money however; he brings back with him a new found respect for freedom and hope in the form and name of a little soul.

The characters in this story are as real and believable as the very same image, which stares back at you in the mirror. Although young readers today may be not fully comprehend the institution of slavery and the appreciation of freedom; they can relate to the daily life patterns of an eleven year old boy, who is free. The author stays true to a youthful point of view by doing just that. He does a tremendous job of recreating Elijah’s pattern of daily life. His daily life consists, amongst other things, of rock fishing, chores, friends, pranks, church, and going to school. The author dramatically recreates that time in history by playing on the reader’s emotions and thoroughly describing the settlement and area at that time all the way down to the weather conditions common to the area.

All the characters within the story remain true in the clothing, the attitude, and what I found even more compelling; in the language of the time. “Well, Elijah, seem to me what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.” The author uses a dialect within the story that brings authenticity. There is a reasonably good amount of dialogue within the story however; it works as an advantage by capturing the speech patterns of the era. The author’s style brings each character to life through the use of mannerisms and the language and idioms appropriate to the time. All these elements work in unison to bring authenticity to the story.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Booklist Top of the List: Best of Editor’s Choice, 2007
TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, 2008
Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People, 2008
CLA Book of the Year, 2008
Governor General’s Literary Award Finalist
Newbery Award Honor Book, 2008
Red Maple Nominee
Coretta Scott King Award, 2008
Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, 2008
ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2008
Michigan Notable Books, 2008
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 2007
Great Lakes Book Award Finalist (Children’s Chapter Books, 2008)
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book, 2007
Odyssey Award Nominee (2009, Listening Library, Narrated by MirronWillis)

EDITORIAL REVIEWS
After his mother rebukes him for screaming that hoop snakes have invaded Buxton, gullible 11-year-old Elijah confesses to readers that "there ain't nothing in the world she wants more than for me to quit being so doggone fra-gile." Inexperienced and prone to mistakes, yet kind, courageous, and understanding, Elijah has the distinction of being the first child born in the Buxton Settlement, which was founded in Ontario in 1849 as a haven for former slaves. Narrator Elijah tells an episodic story that builds a broad picture of Buxton's residents before plunging into the dramatic events that take him out of Buxton and, quite possibly, out of his depth. In the author's note, Curtis relates the difficulty of tackling the subject of slavery realistically through a child's first-person perspective. Here, readers learn about conditions in slavery at a distance, though the horrors become increasingly apparent. Among the more memorable scenes are those in which Elijah meets escaped slaves—first, those who have made it to Canada and, later, those who have been retaken by slave catchers. Central to the story, these scenes show an emotional range and a subtlety unusual in children's fiction. Many readers drawn to the book by humor will find themselves at times on the edges of their seats in suspense and, at other moments, moved to tears. A fine, original novel from a gifted storyteller. --Booklist

Floating up like a bubble through layers of history, buoyed with hope and comic energy…Elijah of Buxton tells the story of Elijah Freeman, the first freeborn child in the historic Elgin Settlement, a village of escaped slaves in Canada…As in his previous novels, Curtis is a master at balancing the serious and the lighthearted: as Langston Hughes said of the blues, "not softened with tears, but hardened with laughter." He has already received a Newbery medal and an honor for two novels rooted in the experience of black Americans: "The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 and Bud, Not Buddy. His latest book is another natural award candidate and makes an excellent case, in a story positively brimming with both truth and sense, for the ability of historical fiction to bring history to life. --The New York Times

Set in 1860, 11-year-old Elijah is the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway and freed slaves, in Christopher Paul Curtis's Newbery Honor book (Scholastic, 2007). When money that Elijah's friend has been saving to send to America to buy his family's freedom is stolen, Elijah crosses the border into Detroit on a dangerous mission to help recover it. Narrated by Elijah, the horrors of slavery are revealed. This engrossing tale is read by Mirron Willis who effortlessly varies his rich, textured voice to make each character unique. This story will captivate listeners. --School Library Journal

CONNECTIONS-Activities:
1) Have a discussion about why Chloe gave her baby to Elijah? Follow up with thoughts about how the baby’s life will be different in Buxton.
2) Discuss the “underground railroad”. If possible, review with students the following National Geographic website, which takes users on a journey through the Underground Railroad. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/

CONNECTIONS-Reading:
1) Anderson, Laurie Halse. Chains. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2008

LETMEPLAY: The Story of Title IX - the law that changed the future of girls in America

Written by Karen Blumenthal

Blumenthal, Karen. 2005. Let me play: the story of Title IX : the law that changed the future of girls in America. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-689-85957-0.

SUMMARY
In this non-fictional work of art, author Karen Blumenthal examines the history of Title IX; the law that opened the doors of educational and athletic opportunities for all American girls. This book is an exceptional informational book in that it provides an in-depth look at the events and individuals, who not only advocated for women’s rights, for instance the right to vote and the right for equal pay; it also chronologically details the events and documents the women, who advocated and supported Title IX. Throughout the book there are narrations of various women and their personal battles to overcome discrimination of various forms.

Karen Blumenthal is an acclaimed author. She has more than 25 years of experience as a financial journalist and was the Journal’s Dallas bureau chief for eight years. She is highly recognized as a non-fictional writer and has received several distinguished awards and nominations for her writings including several for this book. Ms. Blumenthal writes with experience and precision. She avoids stereotypes by capturing the sentiments and reactions of the time from several perspectives. She provides factual information and documents the information through source notes for each chapter, photo credits, and a selected bibliography. She also includes a section that lists relevant books and websites “for further information”. The relevant books focus on girls and sports, women’s rights, and information about Title IX.

The organization of the book is chronological in sequence. It begins with events in 1848 and continues with prominent milestones up through the year to 2003. Reference aids are provided and include a table of contents, a title IX timeline, and an index. There are several illustrations and cartoons throughout the book. They are all appropriate and compliment the text magnificently. On a blog posting I came across, Karen Blumenthal states, “As a nonfiction author, I've come to appreciate that powerful photographs and cartoons of the day can truly help bring a time period alive for a young reader.” I do agree, the cartoons invite the reader into the book and motivate the reader to look in depth at the subject matter.

The author’s unique style, which is visible through her word usage and how she combines the text and illustrations all work together to present a work of literature that clearly and appropriately demonstrates her enthusiasm. Page after page, the author’s presentation of the information is direct and without misunderstanding. One can especially appreciate the chapter headings, which are quite catchy and suit the topic. The “instant replays” adds emphasis and the “player profiles” encourages thinking and further reading.

AWARDS/NOMINATIONS
• ALA Amelia Bloomer Project
• ALA Best Books For Young Adults
• ALA Notable Children's Books
• Bank Street Best Books of the Year
• CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
• CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
• Golden Spur Award Honor Book
• IRA Children's Book Award Notable
• Jane Addams Children's Book Award
• Kansas State Reading Circle Middle School Titles
• Maine Student Book Award Master List
• SLJ Best Book of the Year
• SSLI Book Award Honor Book

EDITORIAL REVIEWS
Starred Review. Grade 7 Up -A fascinating look at the birth, growth, stagnation, and final emergence of Title IX. While acknowledging the controversy surrounding this law, the author is unwaveringly supportive of its passage and implementation. Interesting and easy-to-follow chapters highlight the process of creating, revising, fighting for, and ultimately passing this legislation that gave girls and women equal access to physical-education classes, gymnasiums, universities, and graduate schools. Human-interest stories personalize the issues, and photographs of congresswomen fighting for equal opportunities for girls, women demonstrating, and the ultimate victory-a woman on the cover of Sports Illustrated-show how challenging, yet ultimately rewarding, the battle has been. Charts depict amazing statistics about the increase in athletic participation by females from 1970 to 2001. Cartoons show the humorous but painfully true attitudes of our culture toward women as they have strived to achieve equality in this country. The book closes with a "Then and Now" section highlighting the changes Title IX has brought about. Lynn M. Messina's Sports in America (H. W. Wilson, 2001) and Victoria Sherrow's Encyclopedia of Women and Sports (ABC-CLIO, 1996) both offer bits of information, but nothing out there comes close to Blumenthal's portrait of the emergence of women athletes in our society. --School Library Journal

Gr. 6-9. As in Six Days in October (2002), a compelling overview of the 1929 stock market crash and a financial primer, Wall Street Journal editor Blumenthal uses specific facts and fascinating personal stories to give readers a wide view of history. Here, the author looks at American women's evolving rights by focusing on the history and future of Title IX, which bans sex discrimination in U.S. education. Profiles of groundbreaking female athletes and legislators deftly alternate with highlights of the women's movement, from the early twentieth century through today. The dull paper stock diminishes the many black-and-white photos, but the images are still gripping, and relevant political cartoons and fact boxes add further interest. Few books cover the last few decades of American women's history with such clarity and detail, and this comprehensive title draws attention to the hard-won battles, the struggles that remain, and the chilling possibility that rights, if not fiercely protected, can easily be lost. --Booklist

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2011/09/guest-post-karen-blumenthal-on-power.html